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STEVE Smith's maiden Test century, on the back of Shane Watson's first day ton, helped Australia build a platform from which they have some chance of achieving a morale-lifting victory in the fifth Ashes Test.

A mixture of measured batting by Smith, who finished not out 138, and some effective tail end slogging, saw Australia reach 9-492 declared on a rain delayed day when the roles in this series were sharply reversed.

Only the inability to separate the English openers marred what was, at the end of a dreadful tour, a heartening performance by the Australians.

Alastair Cook (17 not out) and Joe Root (13 not) survived 17.3 overs during an extended final session that ended due to bad light at 7.27pm - three minutes early - with England 0-32.

But the day belonged mainly to Smith, who had twice come tantalisingly close to centuries this year when scoring 91 in Mohali and 89 at Old Trafford, where he was caught after making a nervous swipe.

This time, however, Smith smashed England part-timer Jonathan Trott over mid-on for six to bring up a milestone that was 12 Tests and 23 innings in the making.

Not originally selected for this tour, the century was well deserved reward for player who had been picked first for Australia as a leg-spinner, then as an all-rounder, but who has always believed his main talent was with the bat.

After Shane Watson's 176 batting at No.3, Smith’s innings should also ensure Australia starts the home Ashes series with a slightly more settled batting line-up than had seemed likely on this tour, where a patchwork quilt combination has constantly struggled.

But, before then, the Australians will be intent on making the most of their strong first innings. One that ended with a tiring England attack deploying nine men on the boundary to limit the damage.

After a three and a half hour rain delayed the start of play, Australia had resumed at 4-307, and with the new ball only eight overs old.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad gained their customary swing under overcast skies. In fact, usually too much to find an edge.

Steve SmithSource:Getty Images

Nightwatchman Peter Siddle was the first out, bowled for 23 by a ball from Anderson that nipped away and hit off stump. That ended another handy contribution from an Australian bowler on a tour when their work, with ball and bat, could hardly be faulted.

But, having failed to take advantage several times in this series when they held strong positions, this time the Australian lower-order and tail ensured Watson and Smith’s big innings would reap full benefits.

Smith combined in a series of productive partnerships with Brad Haddin (30), James Faulkner (23), Mitchell Starc (13) and Ryan Harris (33) to ensure Australia pushed close to 500.

As Australian pushed for quick runs, the debutant Faulkner clubbed three boundaries from one Broad over. An indication of the suddenly changed fortunes of the teams.

England paid for the dubious selection of two rookie bowlers. Spinner Simon Kerrigan, who conceded 0-53 in eight nervous overs on the first day did not bowl again, while paceman Chris Woakes finished with 1-96 - his lone victim Faulkner who was caught near the boundary in the pursuit of quick runs.